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DTSTAMP:20190121T221727Z
DTSTART:20180815T120000Z
DTEND:20180815T130000Z
STATUS:CONFIRMED
TRANSP:OPAQUE
LOCATION:Palace Green Library (Wolfson Gallery)
SUMMARY:'These curious marks': Why the meaning of British rock art is stil
l a mystery
DESCRIPTION:13:00 - 14:00 Free - no booking required Kate Sharpe, Research
Associate in the Department of Archaeology, Durham University As part of
the Dig Deeper talks and the Shattering Perceptions exhibition, Dr Kate S
harpe a (Research Associate inthe Department of Archaeology, Durham Univer
sity) will explore British Rock Art. In 1866, the Reverend James Simpson a
ddressed the inaugural meeting of a new archaeological society in Cumbria,
referring to ‘these curious marks’ recently discovered on a w
ell-known standing stone called Long Meg. He concluded with a warning: 'Th
at the mystery will be cleared up, I fully believe, though it may happen t
hat those who first essay an explanation of these strange characters or cu
rious symbols, or seek to assign them a date or a meaning will…err
from the truth...' . Since then, many researchers - antiquarians, academic
s, and armchair enthusiasts alike - have attempted to shed light on the pu
rpose of similar motifs pecked onto stone surfaces across the British Isle
s. Now known to be a form of ‘rock art’ (known locally as &lsq
uo;cup and ring marks’), and a worldwide phenomenon, these intriguin
g marks provide a unique yet elusive personal link with our prehistoric an
cestors. This talk will explore some of the many theories explaining the c
arvings, and the reasons why their meaning has so far evaded us. This tal
k is free of charge and will take place in the Learning Centre at Palace G
reen Library. Booking is not required, but seating will be allocated on a
first come, first served basis. For more information about the Shattering
Perceptions exhibition created by Durham University's MA Museum and Artef
act Studies students, please visit: www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology.museum.
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